Christmas still to come for Coptic community

While the rest of us are taking down the tree and the lights and putting away presents, Christmas is still on the way for many Orthodox Christians.

At the St Verena and St Bishoy Coptic church in Armadale this week, children rehearsed a nativity play in the laid-back Australian style.

Children from St Verena and St Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church in Armadale rehearsing for a nativity play in the lead-up to Orthodox Christmas, January 7. Credit:Daniel Pockett

In the manger scene, the boy playing Joseph giggled and tossed around the toy baby Jesus. A little angel squirmed from scratchy wings and shepherds and wise men forgot the words to Away in a Manger.

Elaria Tossoun, 6, said she found the key role of the Star of Bethlehem "difficult" from having to hold her arms out. But otherwise it is a happy time.

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Elaria Tossoun, 6, from St Verena and St Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church in Armadale rehearsing for a nativity play in the lead-up to Orthodox Christmas, January 7. Credit:Daniel Pockett

Her family celebrates "Jesus' birthday" on January 7. It's when Coptics, whose holy days follow the Julian calendar, have their Christmas mass, family feast and gift exchange.

The Tossouns, of Egyptian descent, including parents Mary and Wes and siblings Alexandra, 3, and Jonah, 14 months, are preparing for a mammoth Christmas.

The liturgical mass on Christmas Eve, January 6, goes for more than four hours, with the church filled with candles, icons and incense.

There will be readings, hymns, the sermon, a message from the Pope and tasbeha – praises to St Mary between deacons and the congregation. "It's so beautiful. Sometimes you feel the church is just shaking," Mrs Tossoun says.

Children from St Verena and St Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church in Armadale during a dress rehearsal for a nativity play in the lead-up to Coptic Christmas on January 7.Credit:Daniel Pockett

After communion at midnight, the family will drive to their Aunt Mona's house 24km away in Bundoora, and then, at about 1am, join about 35 relatives for a very late dinner at Uncle Farid's house in Mill Park.

They will be hungry, having fasted since 3pm, and been on a no-meat or dairy diet for 40 days.

They wish one another, in Arabic, 'kol sana wento tayebeen' (every year and you are in good health), exchange presents and sit down to eat traditional dishes such as waraa enab (vine leaves stuffed with rice, capsicum, tomato and herbs), roast lamb with rice, almonds and sultanas, and for dessert luqmat al-qadi (deep fried doughnuts with syrup) and om ali, a hot, creamy pastry with milk, sultanas, and coconut.

This week, Thursday night mass for New Year, or ras el sana, is also an elaborate affair with the children performing the nativity play, then a liturgy mass finishing after midnight.

Mrs Tossoun says growing up in Collingwood, her parents did not observe December 25, but she and her husband compromise by giving their own kids presents "from Santa".

With 20,000 Victorian followers, the Coptic community is growing. The church bought an old Anglican church in Armadale two years ago and is building a 44-storey skyscraper in La Trobe Street in the CBD that will include a new church. Mrs Tossoun hopes one day Eastern and Western Christmas dates will unite, but it was nice as a community "to celebrate this special occasion together".

"Seeing faces you haven't seen for a while, and after the long fast, to sit and celebrate with a feast at night with everyone, it's beautiful.